Adjustable work support



Aug, 26., 1924. 506,125

l D. c. KLAUSMEYER ADJUSTABLE WGRK SUPPORT 'Filed uw 2o. :am :smug-snags. 1 y

BN EN w w wai nu WITNES'SES.

Auga 26, 1924. 1,506,725

D. c. KLAUSMEYER ADJUSTABLE WORK SUPAPORT Filed May 20. 1921 3 Sheng-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: Q i C :y v INVNOR fiw/ BY ATTOR NEY l Aug. 26, 1924. 1,506,725

D. c. KLAUSMEYERU ADJUSTABLE WORK SUPPORT Filed May 20. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a INVENTOR v mmm@ Wall@ ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1; instant PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID C. KLAUSMEYER, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, T0* THE CINCINNATI BIGK- FORD TOOL COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, i CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ADJUSTABLE WORK SUPEORT.

Application tiled May 20,

T 0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID C. KLAUSMEYER, a citizen of the United States, and residing at B638 Burch Ave., Hyde Park, Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Adjustable Vilork Support7 of which the following specilication is a full disclosure.

This invention is directed to those structural features'in machine-tools whereby the various relations between the tool and the work, necessitated by the character of the tooling-operationa may be obtained easily and maintained rigidly and, while this invention is applicable to various types of machines, its utilities and advantages are more highly developed in its application to drilling machines embodying a radial arm employed for supporting the work.

In drilling machines of various types it is usual to provide a work or tool support which is adjustable vertically with respect to a supporting column and further means are provided adjacent the column to raise and lower the work-support and to clamp it in its various adjusted positions. Means are also habitually provided adjacent the column to adjust the work table laterally relative to the tool and to clamp it in its adjusted position, or to swing it out of the way and support the work on the floor of the bed from which the column rises.

The column (which specifically may be either a non-rotatable post about which the arm may swing, or an upright rotatable sleeve from which the arm radiates) habitually supports' one end only of the arm that carries either the work-support or the drill-head, as the case may be. This arrangement possesses the mechanical defect of being more or less resilient and, although in many respects convenienta it is not entirely so; since the user cannot clamp the arm without leaving the position from which he can best examine the adjustment of the tool to the work.

In the simpler types of drills, it is customary to elevate the arm and the table by hand and., for this and other reasons it is desirable to make the parts as light as accuracy, rigidity and quality of materials will permit. Likewise it is desirable so to 'fashion the arm that it may easily be made through ordinary foundry methods and so.

an entirely satisfactory manner; the neces-l sity of providing` for universality in the table adjustments having' introduced difficulties.

In its preferred form, this invention proposes a box-like arm rigidly supportedl from the floor table-like, so to speak, at its four corners so as to brace it positively against either bending down or rocking sidewise, and so as to relieve the column of any untoward deflection streams, and to achieve this result without interfering with the facility with which it may either be elevated or swung around the column.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an arrangement whereby the opera tor, while stationed in his usual position in front of the work-table, may conveniently effect the locking to the supporting-column of the supporting arm of the work-table.

A :further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the entire control of the adjusting of the table (both clamping and raising) may be effected by the operator without moving from 'his regular working-position.

This invention also aims to provide a novel7 simple and easily adjusted mea-ns for supporting the outer end of the arm, in all of the various positions it may occupy so as to preclude any undue deflection of the arm and so as to prevent any undue strains, caused by the pressures of the drilling operations, from being` transmitted to the column or unduly straining the same.

Also7 it proposes an improvement in the manner of clamping the column and table to the arm, whereby there will occur no inaccuracies in the seating of the elements due to the movement or deflection of the clamping wings or parts.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed` drawings;

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawingsI depicting a preferred typical construction have kbeen annexed as a partY of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts througlio-ut allfthe views, of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a fragmentary portion of a machine tool embodying my. novel clamping, table-adjusting and. arm supporting mechanics. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3i-sa view simi.- lar tov Fig. l but looking at the opposite side of the machine tool. Fig. Il is `atop plan view o f my work-table together with its supporting arm. Fig. 5 is a front view of ajfragmentary portion of machine tool. Fig. 6 is a section along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3. Fig'. 7 isla; view' similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified. form 'of my" invention. F-igsl 8 and' 9i`show the use of rollersy at the feet of the supporting leg.

thfseveralviews, A indicatesba'se in the nature ofabcd-plate to which is rigidly secured- (by bolts 5. passing through the flange Al) ar. vertical supportingcoliumn B upon1 which is'lvertically and'pivotall'y'ad- .l''lsible horizontalV supporting arml Thisfco'l-umn may, lofcourse, be 'formed in any conventional'manner such as box-type or Cylindrical in formandit may assume the form of a rotatable sleeve or may, as showinbe in.' the nature of a rigid` post about which-"the'arm may turn.` The bed C is formed to present 'plane surface l adapted to'se'rve the two-fold; othce of a platform on which certain bulky pieces of- `work may be placed, andso as. to present smooth uniform surface on4 which feet of the arm-supporting legs may rest andy on which such feet Imay alsofreely slidein an arcuate path without interference when the arm is being swung into its various positions of adjustment, as will be presently. explained.

For theipurpose of collecting Ysurplus oil and chips, the 'base mayl have a moat leadingfto `a collection well' 2 in the usual manner'. The varm C is comprised preferably of a semi-circular portion C in the nature onehalf-a split sleeve and; ana-rm'proper in thenature ofa box-like structure or bodyportionA having two spaced walls 9 and 10 suitably reinforced; on their interior lsurfaces ribs'llA and l2 extendingtran'sversely to increase the strength ofthe `walls without addingundue weight toV them. As will be sexen:"from,Fig.V 2. these ribs run cross-wise and terminate? short of' the hollow central regionof the arm; malring"v it a simple matter iQ 'east Said-afm. rt ist@ be notedA time the joints, between. the cap and?V arm proper, a'reir'i transverse, insteadof longitudinal, plane-fora reasonhereinafter appearing. The sidewalls QandlO: (see Fig. 6l) converge forwardly andere! taperedvertically and, at each@ end-'5"' they are merged integrallyv into rigid bearing-portions for columnl and tlf hfub 'of-fthe table, respectively, a manlriig'absolute accuracy they al ignnient of these elements. Thus, the semi-circular sleeve 2l provides upper and lower semi-annular bearings a and c (see Fig. l) which determine the sea-ting of the box-like arm on the column irrespective of the clamping movement of the'clamping cap C ,this sleeve being castintegrally with the arm and preferablybeing open at 2O in the interest of lightness.

The clamping-capI C is, at one side only, firmly aliixed to the arm C; this being effected by means of the bolts 45 binding together the lugs t0 andfs.v

The clampingjcap Cis, onitsother side, provided' with ears m, 0 and s adapted to cooperate with ears n and 1 VonV onefside of the wall 2OI and an ear w on the other sfide of the wallv or sleeve 2O respectively.A VBolts 32 and 33. pass yfreely and loosely thruy the ears m and fr, andare tapped intov the ear n and 0,' the arrangement being preferably made in a converse' manner, as' sl"iown Fig. l. The bolts 82 and. 33 do not bind the clamping cap to the arm but afford sufficient free-play to allow for la clamping andr unclamping action,V In orde-r to use the cap C forthe purpose of'pu'lling theseats a and c truly against the column'B and also for effecting the clamping, a shaft T is provided; said` shaft being threaded into the lug m and being` provided.y with a collar-3e so that, when it is rotated, the collar will pull the cap and arm together thereby clamping the socketV against the column. v"Inasmuch as vthe weight of the arm vwill normally operate to pressthe lower seat@ againstV the columrL and will tend to pull theV upper seat a away from the column, the clamping shaft. willl preferably be locatedV at the upper portion ofthe arm; preferably, as shown, somewhat vabove the scat o to obtain the beneiit of-as much leverage as possible and relieve the threads of the shaft T of unnecessary duty. In order to render the clamp-actuating shaft accessible to the operator without obliging him to move from his normall operating position in front of the table, and to achieve this in a, structurally simple manner, the clampin0V split has beenv located at a sid'J of the arm and the shaft is prolonged or otherwise extended to the vicinity of the table which occupies a position more or less-remotefrom the supporting colurmi. Tovthatend, it may pass thru abearingfl-'i7 on the forward part of the arm and' be provided with squared end-U adapted tobe connected with anoperating handle. By this arrangement', or itsA equivaient?, the user can mal-te the most delicate adjustment in elevation betweenA the drillr llO jacent the column. This rack has its foot 44 resting on an annular ledge 6 provided by the column; this ledge serving as a rail around which the rack may glide as it travels around the column. The inner face 43 of the rack is concaved slightly so as to bear evenly on the periphery of the column and the rack is contained in a suitable recess in the nature of a spline groove within the bore of the two-part sleeve of the arm, as shown by Figs. 4 and 2. By removing the C', the rack may be removed and, in normal use, it is held upright and close to the column by said spline groove. A pinion M meshes with said rack, said pinion being mounted in a bearing 38 in the boss N split at 39 and integral with the arm C and cap C. The protruding end of the shaft of the pinion is provided with a worm gear O adapted to mesh with a worm P mounted in a first bearing 42 within the chamber of a boss 40 cast integral with the arm C and in a second bearing in a cover plate 41 suitably secured to the boss for the worm. The eX- posed end of worm shaft is provided with a squared portion Q, whereby it may be turned manually, as by means of a suitable handle. IVhile, in this arrangement, the elevation of the table effected from a position at the side of the column, its lateral adjustment is completely within the control of the user while stationed adjacent the table. It is the lateral adjustment that must be made with the greater nicety for the reason that the precision of location of the hole to be drilled by a vertical drill is dependent thereupon, as will be understood. The arm, being arranged to swing about a vertical aXis (which in the example illustrated coincides with the axis of the column), may easily be shifted laterally when nnclamped; being still supported by the elevating mechanism which, in this instance embodies the rack that then serves as a travelling supporting leg, so to speak. The frictional resistance to this adjustment at the bearing points 3() and c may be appreciably diminished by the proper use of the travelling means for supporting the outer end of the arm, to be presently described. So also, this invention affords a compound adjustment in a horizontal plane by combining a table with the arm in such a manner that it may be adjusted relatively thereto and clamped in place also from the front of the machine, as will be explained.

In Fig. 7, there is shown a modification wherein the elevating as well as the clamping controls are within reach of the operator when he is directly adjacent the table. In this instance, the elevating rack-and-pinion mechanism is arranged in the longitudinal plane of the arm; thereby locating the rack in the thrust-plane of the arm, instead of at the side of such plane. This has the twofold advantages of giving a convenient direction to the worm shaft and also of somewhat easing the pressure (and consequently the friction) on the thrust bearing 30 and thereby reducing the labor of moving the arm. By locating the pinion near the thrust bearing 30, the thrust, caused by the pressureangle of the rack teeth, will be exerted in a direction contrary to the thrust against thel bearing 30 due to the weight of the arm and, by increasing the pressure angle of the teeth, the friction may to a corresponding extent be diminished.

In the illustrated modification, the pinion is located adjacent the rear bearing 30; the clamping cap C being provided with a housing 1c on its rear side within which said pinion is located in engagement with said rack.

The worm wheel a", is located at the side of the cap so as to be in mesh with the worm ,e which is secured to the rear end of a shaft Z extending forwardly alongside the arm and terminating in an operating end located adjacent the working station of thc user; thereby affording a control of both the elevating and clamping means from the front of the machine.

IVhen it is desired to change the level of the work-table, the clamping shaft T is rotated to release the clamp; the separation of the portions of the socket being limited by an abutment of the ears with the bolts and 33. Because of the self-locking charcter of a worm drive, the work table is prevented from dropping, even when the clamp has been loosened. The shaft P or Z, as thc case may ic, is then operated to raise or lower the table. After the table has been adjusted to its, desired height, the arm is clamped on to the column B by means of the shaft T. Ordinarily, the vertical adjustment does not have to be made with the exactness of the lateral adjustment so long as the drill is arranged to feed in a vertical direction, i. e., in the same direction as the work is adjusted, since in that event its primary object is merely to bring the worl comparatively close to the drill-point so that the drill, within the limits of its feed, may penetrate the work to the desired depth.

The means for obtaining a fn universal lateral adjustment for the worlr, either towards or away from the column or to one side or the other of the drill (which is suitably snpported from the upper portion Z of the columni as by a member secured thereto through the guides 8) will involve cooperating member in the nature of a work-support adjustably mounted on the arm so as to have an independent movement thereon. This member may, very conveniently, be pivoted to the arm and may assume the form of a circular table D having a hub F jour naled in a vertical socket in the end of the arm. It is very important, in the interests idx Cil

of precision, that the surface of the table should at all times coincide exactly with a planel at right angles to the axis of the col'- umn; this a-Xis being likewise the determinant of the axis of the drill whenever it is desired, as is usually the case, to drill a hole in the work at right angles to the surfaceof the table. lt is important, also, to enable the hub to be very firmlyloclred in its angular position in said soclret.

Heretofore, this clamping has been effected by continuous split in the wall of the socket with the result that the seating of the table on the arm was more or less perturbed by reason of the slight movement of the well segments necessary for their clamping function, This error is, however, eliminated by the construction herein proposed which provides a seat all effective portions of which are rigidwith the arm and are in no manner subject to deflection with respect to the arm; irrespective of the action of the clamping agent. i As shown by Figs. 3 and 1, the arm extends integrally, on its upper end-portion, in the form of an annular plate or ring 18 which is free from any splits and which provides an upper annular surface 111 in the nature of a rigid seat upon which rests the under bearing surface of the table which is thereby given a true and solid support independently of the clamp. rlhe clamp consists of two varcuate wings 23 and 2li (see Fig. 2) formed in the lower wall-portions of the socket by the arcuate split 15 (see Fig. 7) which separates the wings from the solid seat 13 and by the cut 16 in an axial plane which gives the wings the degree of resilient movement required for the clamping action. Lugs 19 are cast at the free edges of these wings and a suitable draw bolt G, actuated by a handle G', enables the userT when in his working station, to operate this clamp and with precision determine the lateral relation, in truly universal sense by reason of the equally accessible arm-clamp, of the drill to the work.

The ease with which this adjustment may be effected, even when heavy piece ofrwork is carried by the table, and the rigidity with which the work may be supported against'the pressures of the drilling operation, results from a further improvement in the nature of a vertically-adjustable and lat'- erally-shiftable arm-support HJ arranged to ride on the track-like surface l presented by the bed. This surface I, although essentially ffl in the nature of an arcuate guide-way or track for the foot or feet, as the case may be, of thev arm-support, is preferably made flush and continuous with the surface of the bed` so that it will not' interfere with the use of the bed when it isdesirable to bolt large heavy objects theretd This arm-support HJ is ay two-part device; its lonepart H bein-g a component part of the arm andits other part l being an independent leg adjustable with relationv to thearm in conformity with the eleva-tion thereof arbitrarily selected by the attendant. The support J may be aV one-piece element preferably consisting of legs. t' and y spaced apart to givea wide base ofsu-pport and thereby brace thel arm most effectively against any twistfunder the pressure` of theV drill. These legs t and are preferably connected by a web and the whole may be regarded as a single leg the width of whichl` may beincreased or decreased in` accordance with' the ext-ent toi which special refinements of this invention are utilized?. When' thehighly desirable wide base' is. resorted to, the legs t and f may be extended' upwardly to seat on the clamping surfaces presented byY the two depending `guides H an'df H (see Fig. 5) the clamping port-ions 27 of Which are slotted to permit the passage ofi the clamping` bolts 36. These slots are of such length that whenthebolts: 36 reach; the upper ends 35 of th-e slots theundersurface 22 of the .arm will approximately reach the annular track 6 on. the column; thereby affording a full range of movement.; These depending guides H and H" are preferably integrally connectedl by means of cross-rods 22 and 26l and, at their upper ends, Vthey are secured by bolts 28 to lugs 17 extending from the arm, independently of the flexibleclampthe seat 151i onI which the turn table rests; thereby transmitting' the supporting` thrusts directly tothe table and securing the great Y feet of the legs are providedwith rollers 'N1 and N2' which are preferably set atv an angle so as to be tangential to the arc of swing. These rollers, in combination with the other aboveed'es'cribed'elements have-been found'l in practiceto great-lyVv facilitate. the manipulation of the table inasmuch as they ridey very easily on their arcuate trackV and support the weight ofthe tableiequally well inall ofi its positionsV off-adjustment; Y

Without further analysis', the'- foregoing 'will so fully reveal the gistf. off this invention that:v others.: can; bly.; applying? current knowledge; readily@ adagtlit for?l various-uti'.-

lng wings 23 and 24, soi as to be rigid withV Justmentof the table-support may also be Y 'deflection As shown by Figs. 8` and 9, the Y lizations by retaining one or more of the essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and

Aare intended to be, comprehended Within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims Having thus revealed this invention, l claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States:

l. A machine-tool combining an arm having its free end apertured and provided With a continuous annular bearing, a portion of the sleeve surrounding` said aperture being split circumferentially to separate it from said continuous bearing portion, said sleeve being also split transversely to said circumferential split to provide resilient clamping wings; a rotatable table having a hub Within said continuous bea ing on said split portion; and means on said sleeve for deliecting said Wings to clamp said hub firmly to said arm.

2. A machine-tool combining an arm terminating in an apertured end having a rigid continuous annular seat circumscribing one end of said aperture, said arm also pro viding arc-shaped Wings constituting flexible wall portions of said aperture; a Work-support resting on said rigid seat and having a stem Within said aperture; and means for flexing said Wings to clamp said stem against movement.

3. A machine-tool combining an arm terminating in an apertured end having a rigid continuous Wall providing an annular seat circumscribing one end of said aperture, said arm also providing arc-shaped Wings constituting flexible Wall portions of said aperture; a Work-support resting on said rigid seat and having a stem Within said aperture; means for fiexing said Wings to clamp said stem against movement; and a supportingleg having a portion connected With said rigid Wall.

Ll. A machine-tool combining a base; a column rising therefrom; an arm mounted to rotate about, and slide vertically on, said column, and extending normally thereto; a Work-support mounted on the free end of said arm; mechanism for elevating said arm; a clamp to secure said arm in adjusted elevation and rotative position; and means operable from a station adjacent to said work-support at the free end portion of said arm for enabling it to be clamped by a single operation against sliding and rotation.

5. A machine-tool combining a Work-table and a supporting-arm therefor; a supporting-column upon which said arm is mounted to rotate horizontally and to slide vertically; and clamping-mechanism to secure the arm to the column in adjusted elevation and rotative relationship, by a single operation, said mechanism comprising an operating element extending adjacent to the edge et' the Work-table remote from the supporting column.

6. A machine-tool combining a work-table and a supporting-arm therefor; a supporting-column for said arm, clamping mechanism to secure the arm to the supportingcolumn comprising a unitary cap joined to said arm in a plane substantially at right angles to a plane passing thru the work-table and column; and means threaded thru said joined portions to bind the portions together, said means extending adjacent to the edge of the Work-table remote from the supportcolumn.

'i'. A-machine-tooi con'ibining a supporting-column; a supporting-arm ustable horizontally and vertically on said column; means for clamping the arm to the column in adjusted vertical and horizontal position by a single operation; a work-table adjustably secured to the arm; means for clamping the Work-table to the arm; and operating-niecliai'iisin for both said clamping mechanisms arranged adjacent to the edge of said Work-table remote from the column.

8. A machine-tool combining a Wort:- table and a supporting-arm therefor; a supporting-column for said arm; clampingmec-hanism tc secure the arm to the supporting-column, comprising a unitary cap joined to said arm in a. plane substantially at right angles to a plane passing thru the Work-table and column; a rack and pinion confined Within said joint at one side of said column, for elevation of said arm thereon;

and means threaded thru said arm and cap at the opposite side of said column, to bind the joined portions together, said means extending adjacent to the edge of the Worktable remote from the supporting-column.

9. A machine-tool combining a Workt-able and a supporting-arm therefor; a supporting-column for said arm; clampingmechanism to secure the arm to the supporting-column, comprising a unitary cap joined to said arm in a plane substantially at right angles to a plane passing thru the Worktable and column; a rack and pinion confined Within said joint at one side of said column, for elevation of said arm thereon; and means threaded thru said arm and cap at the opposite side of' said column, to bind the oined portions together, said means eX- tending adjacent to the edge of the Worktable remote from the supporting-column; and means on both sides of said oint to hold said arm and cap, with said rack and pinion, in assembled relation upon said column, independently of said binding-means.

l0. A machine-tool combining a vertical suppcrting-column; a horizontal arm adjustable vertically and horizontally on said col-umn; fa Work-table secured to sai'd farm; means for securing1 the arm to said column comprising a two-part socket embracing the column; coopefifati-nig earfs on the two diametrically opposite portions of the socket; bolts loosely lhold-ing the parts together, and ya clamping "shaft passing fthru one v*ear and having its projecting' Aend threaded into thev cooperating; fear; l:a shoulder on Said shailt adapted to `hear on sar-id first ear, fsai'd shattloeingj 'operative to bind the .parts of the socket together upon a rotation thereof; said shaft vextending 'forward along one side of said arm and terminating "at the outermost end ot said arm fin yan operati-nig eX- tremity7 to permit manual lafc'ail'ation thereof from a station adjacent to said Work-sup'- port, to clamp st id arm in adjusted vertical and horizontal position on said column by a single operation.

l1. A drilling-machine combining a `col'- umn; an arm slidable vertically on vv"said fco'lumn and rotatable transversely thereto; clamping means for restraining said move'-Y ments; a base supporting said column and providing an arcuate guide-Way underlying the free end of said 'arm and strut ad justahly depending from the free end of said arm, having contact with 'said arcuate gnideway at points spaced apart a distance aas'oepms not materially less than the thickness of the @d1un-1n; and a avork-suippont carried fby'sa'rd arm.

a2. A tlrillitngfmachine `ycoinloi'ning f Jcol-V uniri; fan .alifm sl.' able vertically foil fsa'id coiuihn and rotatalifl'e V'transferseily thereto; clamping means for restraining Lsaid moireinents; a fbfase :support-mg said columnV and Y for lockingsajid Work-'smpport igains't move.-

m'eiit relative to said arm; each .oit fsaid clamping means being arranged 'tobe Inanualrly operated `from a station 'adjacent 4to said work-support. Y

In Witness whereofs I hereunto suisseriloe my name, as attested Ihy the two subscribing Witnesses. p

c* DAVID C. KLAUSMEYE-R. lVitne-sses: t

. 'C'. SETE, AN-n' M; HSI-N. 

